Kevin Martin addresses trade rumors

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With his role in the Rockets’ offense and rotation dramatically reduced as his performance and production have declined, Kevin Martin carefully addressed the potential that he could be moved by Thursday’s trade deadline.

He did not say if he would prefer to be dealt or not, but for months since the preseason trade to New Orleans did not go through he has been clear that he hoped to remain in Houston. He did, however, seem ready to accept a change should he be part of a deal.

“My reaction is going to be, wherever I am, I’m going to play just how I have my whole career,” Martin said, pausing five times to choose his words cautiously. “I’m not 37, 38-years-old. My body feels great. My game has been fine before we went on the road. There’s just a lot of inconsistency this year about everything. It’s just about being consistent.”

Martin, who is a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game with a strained right shoulder, has made just 8 of 28 shots in the first four games of the road trip, sitting out the fourth quarter of each game and averaging 6.5 points.

Goran Dragic’s move to the starting lineup had a greater impact on the second unit than the starters. The Rockets were down two when he went out in the first quarter and trailed by 11 when he returned. They led by five when he went out in the third quarter, only to fall behind by six before he returned.

“They (the second unit) have to get their rhythm and play a little bit,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “There’s no question about that.”

Backup point guard Jonny Flynn had not played in 20 games before moving back into the rotation with Kyle Lowry out, forcing adjustments to the rest of the second unit as well.